ALERT Oct. 18, 2018: Barrie Police have reported that a dangerous strain of suspected Heroin and/or Cocaine has surfaced within the community. The substance is believed to have a purple colouring and is suspected to have been consumed in a recent sudden death and overdose.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Harm Reduction Services​​

​Needle Exchange Program Sites

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A key part of the Simcoe Muskoka Opioid Strategy is the expansion of harm reduction services. Below, you will find a list of Needle Exchange Program Sites as well as a Google Maps reference. At these sites, new needle kits are available at no cost to those who inject drugs. ​ ​

A key part of the Simcoe Muskoka Opioid Strategy is the expansion of harm reduction services for those who currently use opioids. Naloxone, or NARCAN as it is also known, is the antidote to opioid poisoning and reverses the effects of opioids that cause breathing to stop. This antidote is available to anyone, free of charge, who believes that they may need to use naloxone for themself or for someone else. Below you will find a list of the Simcoe Muskoka locations, including a Google Maps reference, where you can pick up a free naloxone kit. Some kits contain injectable naloxone, while others contain naloxone in a nasal spray format.

Participating* Ontario pharmacies offer free ​injectable and nasal spray naloxone kits. You do not need a prescription and the pharmacist will train you on how to recognize an opioid overdose and how to use the naloxone kit.​

Harm Reduction Resources​​

Toronto Vibe is the safest place to party, providing an overview of fentanyl and other substances. Content is geared to folks who use substances and party, and folks who are living with HIV. Toronto Vibe provides info on safer partying, and overdose prevention.​

Stop Overdose Ottawa is the one stop shop for information on harm reduction. Providing information on safer partying, naloxone, and ​fentanyl, it can be your resource for more information for yourself or your friends!

Not sure what your drugs are classed as ? This website gives an overview of the different classes of drugs and their effects in a non-​​judgmental way. There are many different wheels to use, and they’re all easy to apply!​

CATIE – Harm ReductionCurious about what harm reduction is? Check out this guide from the Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE) for more information. CATIE also has an ordering centre where you can order free resources on harm reduction and sexual health topics.​​​​​ ​​​